WILSON, N.C. – The Barton football team (0-1) suffered a 35-7 loss to Virginia State (1-0) Thursday night at Electric Supply Company Field and Truist Stadium in the 2025 season opener.
Virginia State scored on its first three possessions while Trojans quarterback Rashaan Matthews (Wilmington, Del.) threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns as the visitors held a 569-115 edge in total yards in the convincing victory.
Matthews found Kevin Gyles (Richmond, Va.) for a 58-yard touchdown pass on the game's first possession while Gyles finished with 131 yards receiving in the triumph.
Barton did not get on the board until senior quarterback
Trevor Nored (Waldorf, Md.) hit sophomore running back
Jackson Parrish (Graham, N.C.) for an eight-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.
Virginia State also held a 40:14-19:46 edge in time of possession in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Barton senior linebacker
Ja'Correy Bible (San Antonio, Texas) led all tacklers with 13 takedowns.
Barton hits the road to take on West Virginia State next Saturday, September 6, at Noon in Institute, W.Va., while Virginia State faces Norfolk State on the road beginning at 6:00 p.m., in Norfolk, Va., next Saturday as well.
